Artistic Quality And Dynamic Consequences
Mon, Jul 7, 2010
by Drew McManus
It is no secret that the field as a whole is working day by day to manage debt and maintain stability. At the same time, maintaining artistic quality in light of necessary budget cuts is a tight rope no one enjoys walking but it gets a little easier if everyone works together. Failing that, decisions
In Richardson, The Battle Begins
Fri, Jul 7, 2010
by Drew McManus
It seems that the board of the Richardson Symphony Orchestra (RSO) has decided to discontinue bargaining with their musicians in advance of the current collective bargaining agreement expiration date of August 31, 2010. They also informed patrons in a letter dated 7/1/2010 that in addition to suspending negotiations, they “will not be renegotiating a collective
Take My Blog, Please
Thu, Jul 7, 2010
by Drew McManus
Just imagine it: having hundreds of readers pour pore over every word you write about on an orchestra business topic of your choice. I’m giving away Adaptistration for one day at the end of the month to someone who wants it. All you have to do is write in and let me know who you
Orchestra Nightmares
Wed, Jun 6, 2010
by Drew McManus
If you’ve never seen an episode of Kitchen Nightmares, starring iconic chef Gordon Ramsay, you’re missing out. The program’s self described premise is quite straightforward: “Ramsay steps…into some of the country’s most unsanitary and unsuccessful restaurants to help them turn their businesses around or close their doors forever.” It’s hard to avoid thinking about how
Andrew Adler Couldn’t Be More Right
Tue, Jun 6, 2010
by Drew McManus
The 6/27/2010 edition of the Louisville Courier-Journal published a commentary piece by music critic Andrew Adler where the author shares a frank response to the sort of discussions that have been permeating the business. In particular, the recent keynote topics at the latest League conference in Atlanta. It’s (unfortunately) becoming increasingly rare to see candor
Look Before You Leap
Mon, Jun 6, 2010
by Drew McManus
On 6/22/2010, Marc van Bree published a blog post at Dutch Perspective that caught my attention. He examines what were apparently topics of paramount discussion at the recent League Conference. Marc provides all sorts of reference links but I have to admit I didn’t’ take the time to read any of it as his post
A New AFM President And Why You Should Care
Fri, Jun 6, 2010
by Drew McManus
Following yesterday’s National Convention election, Tom Lee has been replaced by Ray Hair (president of Dallas Local 72-147) as president of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM). Lee garnered 44 percent of the vote while Hair secured 56 percent (figures via Robert Levine’s AFM Convention blog). It wasn’t a landslide, but a clear victory nonetheless.
Excellence In Excellence!!
Thu, Jun 6, 2010
by Drew McManus
This was just too good not to post. Yesterday’s hugh’s daily cartoon absolutely made my day. It manages to sum up a lot about this business in three simple words. The Hugh in hugh’s daily cartoon is Hugh MacLeod, author of Ignore Everybody: and 39 Other Keys to Creativity. More about all of that here.
Radio Waves And Putting The $ In Orch Busine$$
Wed, Jun 6, 2010
by Drew McManus
Apparently, it is possible to be in more than one place at the same time. At least, virtually. Yesterday’s edition of culture.wnyc.org published an article by Marlon Bishop that examines the move by Graham Parker, currently the exec of the Orpheus Chamber Ensemble, over to lead WQXR that included some of my quotes. On the
The Love-Hate Relationship With Email Marketing
Tue, Jun 6, 2010
by Drew McManus
Dale Fisher posted a great little blurb about email marketing HTML at The Revolution Starts…Now? last month that reminds all of us why we love to hate email marketing. Compared to mailers, they have a number of strengths but one of email marketing’s shortcomings is how difficult it is to create a simple, HTML message
